The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-11

dcntliiabe remains found upon the bed
were not those OF Col Hunby, but Of
somebody clsc Ii it were only possible
to fix the identity upon somebody else
with any fair amount OF FEASIBILITY, this
suggestion might have been accepted But
it was not found possible.
81 for one" said our charming Lady
O'Rcilly, who was very outspoken all
through the dreadful business, SHOULD be
extremely sorry ii such q story were true.
| should never get over the disappoint-
ment OF knowing that Col. iiumby had
only been burned by proxy"
But "The Pioneer OF AllnhGbad took our
breath away some ten days after the trag-
cdy just as we had begun to despair OF
ever finding satisfactory explanation OF
the still mysterious occurrence with re-
port-datcd from Jullabad-that the con-
vlctlon was Mt last forcing itself on the
public mind that the author OF the fire and
agent of Col. Ilumby's death could be no
other than Mrs. Humby herself.
A thundcrbolt could not have fallen
with more astounding effect The sensa-
ton created by this announcement was in
itself evidence that one portion OF IL was
at least entirely false that "the conyic-
ton was at last forcing itself ON the public
mind. Not n whispcr-nny | believe,
not a thought-oi such solution OF the
mystery had passed in the station.
| remembered the dry voice of Col. Jack
that night assuring me that she was quite
safe and an honester and less i'll natured
man than the colonel did not breathe.
understood il now; he had been suspicious
from the first
The extraordinary story OF Mrs. Humby,
TO which she still adhered, dumbiounded
her best friends. That. after the fire had
started, her husband was dressed in his
out-ol-door clothes, helmet and all that
he attempted 10 strange her in her bed,
and was frightened from his fell purpose
10y her shricklng and that then hc went
back Ia his chamber and lay down ON the
bed 10 be roasted alive it was incredible.
And yet there was not a symptom OF men
tai weakness about her. DR.. Ransiord,
one ol her warmcst friends, saw her sew
cral times, and was positive her mind was
as clear M his own. She was under no de-
fusion. Yet who could attempt TO OK.
plain snch story rs she told?
have cndcavorcd TO keep myself in tho
background whilst relating this narrative.
! think too, that during those exciting
DAYS WAS the least dcmonstrative man in
Jullabad. The reason was that | could
not trust myself. For months the image
OF that dcicnsclcss aud unhappy wife had
haunted mo. II WAS incNplicable TO my
self, but none the less the fact that the
white unConcious face that lay on my
shoulder that night In the garden was
| constantly present 10 me like silent re-
pruach ! often think that, II matters had
gone on in that bungalow much longer as
! they were, should q. last have ended
! Col. llumhy's life with my own hand.
could not have borne the contemplation
OF that poor girl being slowly and surely
| "donc To her death had srcu her In
brighter days when, In lovely youth
aud gly innocence, she looked nearly
! akin to the angels no one else IN
| Jullabdd hal ~ seen and known her.
The horrible impulation of her possible
guilt could not endure with patience; |
bore It for q day or So until | witnessed
the fearful fascination which II exercised
over peoples minds, ani then | resolved
that one man lt least should stand ont ia
Mrs. llumby yindicailon
The umor went round one afternoon
that she aas making preparation, Ia leave
India NJ once. II was quite credible Tor
what mean. hal she oi defending herself!
The moment hcarl u ! determined 10 do
my utmost Ia dis-uady the poor girl from
Eu initial step. | went straight 90 that
| lpyclicsl and best oi women, Who was at
/ the same time the friend aud idol ui every
! Young fellow Ia the s,s,iun-,la ly - Reilly.
/ saw her M once. explained ny busincss
! aud asked her advice.
You Gr entirely right Mr. Everest shc
mrst not h. allowed IN go. WIS the
prompt pply "siop her from doing 81 II
sou can, aud. should you fail, come b mo
again. MAY be- able az help YOU"
81 think lawyer ought ~ be- retained
IN her interests. lady % Reilly
Certainly. There IL Mr. Mnplcson. the
hnrfiStrr un excellent man. Have YOU
money enough tp r'i,lu him.
Tho question awakened me 10 q new rg-
poet Oi the business. Eat ihCrc was no
occasion iur embarrassment with Lady
- Reilly, ~ | answered frankly, looking
straight into her blue eyes II AIN. un-
fortunately. ihc poorrgt man la the 40.
ton | have an invalid mother aud sitter
nt homo to support liut money will not
Lc wanting. lam confident. every fellow
in JuIIlhJd will cDulnbui' freely, u ncccs-
Ery."
"Go anil scc her Mr Everest, said tho
lady. after piu,s'. "anl later on You can
engage the lawyer shall expect q call
from you again this evening
Thus fortified by Lady ORcllly's ap.
prevail oi what lpuposcd doing, directed
my steps Ia the bungalow 1T Col Jack, the
magistrate irlt nervous upon approach
ing Mrs llrmby ON so delicate mission,
ior. although her imagc and her sorrovs
filled sp much Of my being, ! WIS yet
comparative stranger 10 her. ! did not
even know whether she had any rvmcm-
hrncr ni seeing mc y couple Of years he
fore No Mcnionc any knowledge that Il
WIS who had borne her In my arms up
the garden that NIGHT whether, Ia iact, /
was lees q stranger tD her than the other
Young men 0i Juilalad. What expression
would her eyes assume when ! presented
myWlf before her with thc mission which
! had taken upon mc'
AH drew near | was glad 10 observe
Col Jack sitting alone in the ycmnda. lle
evidently REGARDED me with Home interest
ug approached ! wm little cmhr-
rua.,d us his attention. but / walked up
90 indifferent ~ I could.
"llow dye do, Colonel -Aim. Jack Is
we'll I lmsii'
"Ncv we'll Mr. Everest, thank YOU.
Take q chair. Will YOU drink anything
Thanks no. at down, hardly
knowing how o. break my bu-incss-it
vas. in Tact. specially 20 little business OF
mine. bot thN colonel looked cxpcciant,
as though De- clearly diyincd / had not
called ont ui moro curiosity
"Col. Jark.' I said. hlgcting "it may
snrm mo- particular concern OF mine, but
some one was bound ia duty 20 take Il up.
| refer 10 tins terrible charge which has
been in.inuatrd against Alri llumby. She
has nobody 10 defend her"
III she has any friends" Observed the